Toyota Camry vs Lexus ES: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Toyota Camry is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,280 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Camry HEV FF LE, 51 MPG combined), against $1,730 for the Lexus ES (ES 350h, 46 MPG combined). That is $450 a year, or $2,250 over five years.
Both come from the same maker or parent group. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
- Hybrid
- Midsize cars
Toyota Camry
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Camry HEV FF LE
$8.53 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
5 configurations in MY2026
- Hybrid
- Midsize cars
Lexus ES
Lowest fuel cost configuration
ES 350h
Plug-in versions (electric or plug-in hybrid) are not used for this headline; see the powertrain table below.
$11.53 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
6 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Toyota Camry$1,280 a year · $8.53 per 100 mi
- Lexus ES$1,730 a year · $11.53 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$450
Toyota Camry costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$2,250
$450 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Toyota Camry | Lexus ES |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Camry HEV FF LE | ES 350h |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Combined rating | 51 MPG (better) | 46 MPG |
| City rating | 52 MPG (better) | 48 MPG |
| Highway rating | 49 MPG (better) | 44 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $1,280/yr (better) | $1,730/yr |
| Cost per 100 miles | $8.53 (better) | $11.53 |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $1,280–$1,520 | $740–$1,830 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 5 | 6 |
| EPA class | Midsize cars | Midsize cars |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Toyota Camry | Lexus ES |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 51 MPG · $1,280/yr Camry HEV FF LE | 46 MPG · $1,730/yr ES 350h |
| Electric | Not offered in MY2026 | 127 MPGe · $740/yr ES 350e (19 inch Wheels) |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Toyota Camry
- Lower annual fuel cost: $1,280 vs $1,730
- Higher combined rating: 51 MPG vs 46 MPG
- Higher city rating: 52 MPG vs 48 MPG
- Higher highway rating: 49 MPG vs 44 MPG
Lexus ES
- Offers electric configurations in MY2026; the Toyota Camry does not
Year by year
| Model year | Toyota Camry | Lexus ES | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 43–51 MPG | $1,280–$1,520 | 44–46 MPG | $740–$1,830 |
| 2025 | 44–51 MPG | $1,270–$1,480 | 25–44 MPG | $1,480–$2,610 |
| 2024 | 25–52 MPG | $1,260–$2,600 | 25–44 MPG | $1,490–$2,610 |
| 2023 | 25–52 MPG | $1,260–$2,600 | 25–44 MPG | $1,480–$2,610 |
| 2022 | 25–52 MPG | $1,260–$2,600 | 25–44 MPG | $1,480–$2,610 |
| 2021 | 25–52 MPG | $1,260–$2,600 | 25–44 MPG | $1,490–$2,610 |
| 2020 | 25–52 MPG | $1,260–$2,600 | 25–44 MPG | $1,480–$2,610 |
| 2019 | 26–52 MPG | $1,260–$2,550 | 25–44 MPG | $1,480–$2,610 |
| 2018 | 26–52 MPG | $1,260–$2,550 | 24–40 MPG | $1,650–$2,700 |
| 2017 | 24–40 MPG | $1,630–$2,690 | 24–40 MPG | $1,650–$2,700 |
| 2016 | 25–40 MPG | $1,630–$2,660 | 24–40 MPG | $1,650–$2,690 |
| 2015 | 25–40 MPG | $1,630–$2,660 | 24–40 MPG | $1,650–$2,690 |
| 2014 | 25–40 MPG | $1,630–$2,660 | 24–40 MPG | $1,650–$2,700 |
| 2013 | 25–40 MPG | $1,630–$2,660 | 24–40 MPG | $1,650–$2,680 |
| 2012 | 24–40 MPG | $1,630–$2,680 | 22 MPG | $2,960 |
| 2011 | 23–33 MPG | $2,010–$2,870 | 22 MPG | $2,990 |
| 2010 | 23–34 MPG | $1,920–$2,840 | 22 MPG | $3,650 |
| 2009 | 23–34 MPG | $1,920–$2,840 | 22 MPG | $3,650 |
| 2008 | 21–34 MPG | $1,920–$3,110 | 22 MPG | $3,650 |
| 2007 | 21–34 MPG | $1,920–$3,110 | 22 MPG | $3,650 |
| 2006 | 21–25 MPG | $2,610–$3,110 | 21 MPG | $3,830 |
| 2005 | 21–25 MPG | $2,610–$3,110 | 21 MPG | $3,110 |
| 2004 | 21–24 MPG | $2,720–$3,110 | 21 MPG | $3,110 |
| 2003 | 19–24 MPG | $2,720–$3,440 | 21 MPG | $3,110 |
| 2002 | 19–24 MPG | $2,720–$3,440 | 21 MPG | $3,110 |
| 2001 | 19–24 MPG | $2,720–$3,440 | 20 MPG | $3,270 |
| 2000 | 19–24 MPG | $2,720–$3,440 | 20 MPG | $3,270 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year. Electric configurations are not included in the MPG range of a year that also has other powertrains.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Toyota Camry or the Lexus ES?
The Toyota Camry is cheaper: about $1,280 a year against $1,730 for the Lexus ES, a difference of $450 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Toyota Camry save over five years?
About $2,250 ($450 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Toyota Camry or the Lexus ES?
The Toyota Camry is rated 51 MPG combined against 46 MPG for the Lexus ES. City: 52 MPG vs 48 MPG. Highway: 49 MPG vs 44 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Toyota Camry and the Lexus ES in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Midsize cars.
Explore these cars
- Toyota Camry: ratings, trims and every model year
- Lexus ES: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Toyota Camry: all configurations
- 2026 Lexus ES: all configurations
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